USC, Clemson set neutral sites for baseball games

South Carolina and Clemson have announced the schedule for their annual neutral site baseball game that will include non-conference tilts in Charleston and Greenville the next two seasons. The Gamecocks and Tigers will meet in 2012 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, home of the Charleston RiverDogs with the 2013 game returning to Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C., home of the Greenville Drive.

“The Charleston RiverDogs are excited to help bring the Clemson-South Carolina baseball series to the Lowcountry, and we thank both schools’ coaches and administrators for making this happen,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “The game in the Lowcountry, a region that loves baseball and is known for hospitality, is something that all Carolina and Clemson fans have wanted for a very long time, and we’re thrilled to be involved with it. We hope to make this a longstanding relationship.”

2012 is the third season of the three-game format (home-away-neutral) with both teams having won three games apiece in the regular season. The neutral site games in 2010 and 2011 were played at Fluor Field to capacity crowds of 7,105, and 7,125 the last two years.

“Greenville has a passion to host this game as proven by the overflow crowds, excitement in the ballpark and the reaction from the alumni who attend this event,” said Greenville Drive General Manager, Mike DeMaine. “It is part of our sports landscape and the entire City of Greenville rallies behind this event. Our organization is committed to the long term success of this event in partnership with the schools.”

“We are ecstatic to showcase the Carolina-Clemson rivalry across the great state of South Carolina” said Ray Tanner, South Carolina head baseball coach. “Charleston is a great baseball city with great Gamecock fans and we look forward to a tremendous crowd at Joe Riley Park there for the first game of our series as well as continuing our partnership with Greenville in 2013. The atmosphere has been outstanding at Fluor Field and we appreciate their involvement in the series. ”

For the 2012 game, Gamecock Club and IPTAY Club donors for South Carolina and Clemson as well as RiverDog season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Friday night game. Any remaining tickets will be released for sale to the general public. Ticket sale dates and prices will be announced at a later date.

“We are excited about taking our rivalry to the Lowcountry,” said Jack Leggett, Clemson head baseball coach. “We have a large fanbase in the Charleston area that doesn’t get to see us on a regular basis. Riley Park will be a tremendous environment for our players and fans. It will be a great place to take our series for the 2012 season. We are also excited to have the rivalry game return to Fluor Field in 2013. The hospitality and support by the staff in Greenville are first-class in every way.”

The 2012 game in Charleston is set for Friday March 2 with the three-game series shifting to Columbia on Saturday and the conclusion of the three-game set on Sunday at Clemson. Game times will be announced on a later date. The dates and times for the 2013 series including the game in Greenville will also be announced on a later date.